“- Ah yes, those comets, they always predict great misfortunes. It doesn't surprise me at all that poor Madame Galuchet suddenly died last night,” plate 573 from Actualités

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

Daumier was frustrated throughout the 1850s by the censorship of Emperor Louis Napoleon, who took power in a swift coup d’état in 1851, forcing Daumier to turn to social rather than political topics for the second time in his career. An unusual event such as a comet’s arrival was likely a welcome subject. Daumier designed ten comet prints, then rapidly produced another ten when Parisians responded enthusiastically. Le Charivari , the comedic newspaper that published Daumier’s work, continued to print this second set after June 13 had come and gone, including this scene of women gossiping as a comet streaks behind them.

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